divorce360.com provides help, advice and community for people
contemplating, going through or recovering from divorce and the issues around it,
including separation, divorce laws, spousal support and emotional issues.

ADVERTISING PARTNERS


Answers
You can search for Answers by tag here:

Invite Others
Invite friends and family to join you on d360! - Click here
where do I start
Our checklists are a great place to start. Or, get a quick review of your state's divorce laws with our Legal Cheat Sheet.
  Posted to group - Parenting with your ex    <<Previous   

Forced Visitation?? PLEASE HELP!

I looked for some situation just like mine, but didn't find the precise answer. 

 

My husband and I are separated.  He has an unusual schedule, so there is no regular visitation.  He has recently begun trying to take the kids (he has a son (10) from a prior relationship) on Tuesdays.  Our daughter (7) has some trouble with her relationship with him.  I'm not sure if it's because I was a stay at home mom with her and he worked a lot, or what, but she is extremely attached to me.  She has expressed not wanting to go, even when her brother is there.

 

Today was the mother of all tantrums.  She knew he was coming and expressed her desire not to go.  I told her that he's her dad, and that he had a fun evening planned.  I said that her brother was going.  He said he would be taking her Monday, and I told her Monday.  The tantrum was BAD. 

 

I was torn between not giving into the tantrum and forcing her to go (don't reward bad behavior), and forcing her to go.  You hate to force a kid, who feels good about that?  We attempted that, thinking it was in hers and her dad's best interest, but the kicking and screaming was insane.  He tried to buckle her in the car but she wouldn't stay still enough to get buckled in and have the door closed.  He asked me what I told her to cause her to behave that way.  I always tell her that even if daddy and I don't end up together it's important for her to have a good relationship with him.  Tonight was supposed to be fun.  They were going to have a campfire, roast marshmallows, and make mountain pies.

 

I read the example where the ex grinned when the child wouldn't go with daddy.  I ENCOURAGE her to go.  I am most certainly NOT against it.  That particular example stated to calmly tell them they have to go and firmly insist that the child goes.  We tried that.  There was no firmly insisting she go.  Neighbors opened their doors and stared.  Both of us were upset, raising our voices, and crying.  I have a migraine, so I really wanted the evening to rest.

 

SO - What do you do when the child doesn't want to go and throws a tantrum so strong you can't force them into the car.  I was scared she would unbuckle herself and be unsafe even if he engaged the child locks.  We tried all the logical choices - Be calm.  Encourage.  Tell her how fun it would be. 

 

I do NOT want her manipulating the situation, but I don't want her to have to basically be put in a straight jacket in order to go.  I did tell her no TV and go to bed early tonight.  NOT because so much of not going with her dad, but because the temper tantrum behavior was not acceptable.

 

This is not a case of one spouse wanting it and the other not, or a case of a parent being mean, or turning a child against a parents.  Two parents that want the best for their child, and a child resisting - intensely.  Help is welcome, especially if someone might be a counselor or therapist! 


by CrazyOne   15 Posts 
Posted on 9/1/2009 7:02 PM
Get AlertsGet Alerts!
Sent to Friendsend to friend
0

Tags: forced , visitation , temper ,
tantrum


Answers for "Forced Visitation?? PLEASE HELP!"  (5) (You must be logged in to answer)




Divorce is very tough on kids, but you have to remain firm in your resolve.  It sounds like your daughter is scared about the whole situation and she wants to stay with the parent that is most comforting and familiar...you...during this tumultuous time.  So, you are right in recognizing the obvious sign that she is throwing a tantrum because she figures if she makes everyone else miserable, she'll get what she wants...and that's to stay with you, even if it does mean she gets punished by you.

I'm going to STRONGLY recommend that you get her into counseling ASAP, if she isn't already there.  This cannot be written off as just a tantrum.  It's a symptom of a larger problem, and it's going to require you and your husband to work together in helping her.  Whatever differences you have right now, you need to put them aside for the greater good of your daughter.  It sounds like you're a good mom, so I know you would in a heartbeat...I don't know about him, but it sounds like he might be receptive to it.  If you don't, these tantrums WILL get worse and worse.

In the meantime, do the best you can...if it gets so bad that she is willing to hurt herself, or make the situation unsafe, then you do need to take the necessary measures to make sure that she is safe...but if you and your husband agree that she stays with you because she is so unruly, then you need to keep punishing her bad behavior...this is what it is until you and your husband either reconcile or get divorced.   And if it's a divorce, then this is going to go on for the next 11 years.  I think a therapist can help her deal with her anger, fear, and pain over this separation and perhaps give you and your husband some tools to help her along during this time in her life.

I wish you luck with all of this...keep us posted!!!
by BlueB   2982 Posts
Posted on 9/2/2009 7:42 AM
0





You may want to talk to him- and tell him that you know he is just having fun with her- but you are afraid she is going to say something to someone and social services will be breathing down his neck. I have seen it happen ..
by mtnvly   3539 Posts
Posted on 9/2/2009 6:34 AM
0





So....buckle her in kicking and screaming, slam the door and pray she doesn't unbuckle?  Just asking.
by CrazyOne   15 Posts
Posted on 9/1/2009 8:04 PM
0





Thanks...my daughter is interesting.  She said to me, he's mean!  You're the fun parent.  Given, mothers are more nurturing, but I've seen this scenario in action over the years...

Let's rough house daddy!
They rough house.  He'll playfully throw her on the couch, she climbs on him, etc etc.  Then she'll say, bump her head a little (never anything serious, not even bandaid worthy) and it's "MOMMY! Daddy hurt me!"  Two seconds later she wants to rough house again.

Today she says once he almost broke my legs!  I asked how, and she said he sat on me when I was under a blanket.  I told her that was an accident and that she couldn't go around telling people that daddy almost broke her legs!  He would never hurt her, but I do have to wonder what she would say with no one around, she may indicate that he does.  There have only been a couple overnights, so I have been there for  most of the time they've spent together in her life - and it's never been dangerous. 

How about some help with that one? LOL
by CrazyOne   15 Posts
Posted on 9/1/2009 8:01 PM
0





Well- You have to  make her go. It sounds like a similar situation to a friend of mines. She was not keeping the kids from their dad( he is an abusive person though). She tried to make them go.
 So- in a nut shell she HAS to go- There is no choice at all unless you get things changed in court. Talk to your ex- see what can be worked out. See oif maybe he will agree to taking her w/o the other child being around.
 I would aslo talk to my lawyer.Something that worked for my ex bf was taking the kids to a counselor that will agree to court testimony. Have her /him talk to your daughter ALONE. So it cannot be said you are influencing her. Find out what the deal is. There has to be a reason. Something is wrong if she is so adamant about not going. Get to the root of it asap. It is not good for her nor you to be put thru the trauma!
 Kudos to you for trying to make it all easy for everyone!
by mtnvly   3539 Posts
Posted on 9/1/2009 7:30 PM
0







Divorce360.com is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer, accountant, financial planner, therapist or other professional to obtain advice. Divorce360.com is not intended to, and should not, take the place of professional advice. The opinions expressed in the divorce360.com message boards are those of the author and the author alone. Divorce360.com does not endorse any specific product or service.

 
divorce Community::
popular blogs
Be Careful What You Write on the Memo Line....
Another tale from the Spaz client files....   So, I have a...read more 

Forced meeting for my daughter
I have not posted for a while, things have been going rather smoothly....until...read more 

Did I go to far tonight? (Huge argument 'stupid' with my wife)
It’s a stupid question to ask. I know (think) I went to far tonight and it’s...read more 

get/give answers

Financial Mediation tomorrow.. waste of time???
So I have another mediation appointment that was ordered by the court with my...Read Answers/share yours 

Legal responsibilites to enforce visitation?
My 17 year old son refuses to go to visit his father. He has valid reasons, but...Read Answers/share yours 

expert Q&As
Faith Therapy : Does a Separation Work?
My Husband and I Are Having Trouble. Is It a Good Idea for Us to Separate?...read more 

Stress Relief: Tips to Help after Separation
Mental Health: Overwhelmed by Changes in Household Routine. What Should I do?...read more 

About Law: Do Divorce Kits Work?
Legal: What You Should Consider When You Think About Divorcing Using a Kit...read more 

expand information center
divorce360.com's ecards
divorce focused content ::
divorce most popular ::
1. When Is a Marriage Worth Saving?
10 Things to Think About When Considering Whether to Stick with a Relationship

2. 8 Things No One Ever Tells You about Divorce
Number Three May Surprise You

3. Divorcing? 15 Costly Financial Mistakes
Settlements: 15 Critical Financial Mistakes Often Made in the Heat of Divorce

4. Beginning Checklist: Planning to File for Divorce
12 Steps to Consider if You or Your Partner Have Decided to File for Divorce

5. Are You Ready For Divorce?
Three Key Questions You Must Ask Yourself